Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby returned for the Gunners but could not prevent them from falling to a 2-1 home defeat to Southampton.

The Saints progress to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup, but for Diaby at least the game was a personal success.

The midfielder played 66 minutes in the game before being substituted for Santi Cazorla, as the Gunners looked for a more attacking approach.

Diaby looked the figure of health, his imposing frame dominant in the picture above as he tackled midfielder Steven Davis.

That is exactly what Arsenal could do more of, and why they are so keen that Diaby can get back to his best.

They lack a player of his build in midfield, who can win personal battles and be a threat at set pieces, as the loss last week away at Borussia Dortmund showed.

You can never get too ahead of yourself with Diaby, due to his wretched injury history, but this could be the first step towards finally becoming the player Arsene Wenger so determinedly believes he can be.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
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